Emergency locator and communicator

ABSTRACT

A system and method for instantly summoning assistance to the location of an emergency. A mobile unit providing subscriber communications with an operator or emergency service provider includes a beacon signal generator for directing service providers to the location of the emergency. Subscriber communications are established using an existing personal communication system. The beacon signal generator transmits a wideband spread spectrum that is analyzed at receiving stations to determine the location of the mobile unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for personalassistance, more specifically, to a system and method for locating andcommunicating with a person in an emergency.

In recent history, there has been an immense growth in wireless personalcommunications through systems such as analog cellular, PersonalCommunications Systems, and Special Mobile Radio. Services implementingsuch systems operate on band limited frequencies that are licensed foruse by the Federal Communications Commission.

Today, there is a great need for low cost, high speed, and accuratesystems for summoning and directing assistance to the scene of anemergency from a mobile communication device. For example, the FederalCommunications Commission has mandated enhanced 911 capabilities forcertain wireless services. Further by way of example, research has shownthat a large percentage of buyers and potential buyers of mobiletelephones desire to have the telephone only for emergency use. Priorart systems suffer from many drawbacks which make them unsatisfactoryfor summoning emergency assistance or make them too costly for widespread public use.

In prior art systems, determining the current location of a mobilesubscriber unit for providing emergency assistance is costly,inaccurate, slow, and unreliable. Prior art systems generally locate amobile subscriber unit using global positioning systems or triangulationof communications signals carrying subscriber voice or data information.

Prior art systems which use a global positioning system for locating amobile unit suffer from several drawbacks. The mobile subscriber unitsfor such systems are generally expensive and consume significant batterypower. Weather or other obstacles may block satellite signals. There isan inherent delay in providing location information to an emergencyservice provider because the mobile unit must receive and processposition signals from global satellites and then transmit the mobileunit's location to a central office for further processing. Locationinformation is not available when the mobile unit is deactivated.Further, global positioning system are generally unreliable orinoperable for determining in-building location.

With triangulation or multilateration of information carrying signals,location information is only available when there is “live”communications from a mobile unit. Prior art multilateration systemssuch as that offered by Teletrac are not readily adapted to personallocators in that they are expensive, require high transmit power, haveshort battery life and do not provide voice communication. In additionsuch systems, either do not offer in-building operation or have pooraccuracy in urban situations, particularly when transmission is from theinterior of a building.

In systems using the global positioning system or triangulation on theinformation carrying signal, location information is generallytransmitted from the mobile unit to the receive site(s) on a frequencyband licensed for subscriber voice or data communication. Bandwidth forpersonal communications is generally limited. Increasing wirelesstraffic by including location information decreases the maximum numberof concurrent users a system may support thereby decreasing totalsubscriber revenues of the system.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novelmethod and system that overcomes the drawback of the prior art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novelpersonal emergency assistance system that reliably directs serviceproviders to a wireless subscriber.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a novelpersonal emergency assistance system that can be seamlessly integratedwith existing personal communication systems.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novelmethod for providing emergency assistance to a wireless mobile telephonesubscriber.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novelpersonal emergency communication device for directing assistance to alocation of an emergency as identified by the user of the device.

These and many other objects and advantages of the present inventionwill be readily apparent to one skilled in the art to which theinvention pertains from a perusal of the claims, the appended drawings,and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1a and 1 b are cross-sectional schematic diagrams of a mobilepersonal emergency communication device illustrating an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a personal emergency assistance systemillustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to FIG. 1, a mobile personal emergency communicationdevice 100 may include a beacon 10, a power supply 12, and acommunicator 16. The beacon 10, communicator 16, and power supply 12 maybe enclosed in one casing (as shown) or in separate or combined casings.The mobile personal emergency communication device 100 may also includebuttons 18, a speaker 20, a microphone 22, and a display 24. Thecommunicator 16 may essentially be a conventional wireless personalcommunications device.

The device 100 may be used to instantly summon assistance to thelocation of an emergency 24-hours a day using one-button dialing.

In operation, a user of the device 100 may indicate a need for emergencyassistance and the type of emergency assistance needed by pressing oneor more of the buttons 18. The communicator 16 may initiatesubscriber-to-subscriber type communications with an appropriate serviceprovider. Communications may be established on a narrowband signal. Thecommunicator 16 allows the user to interact with an operator or otherindividual to which the call is forwarded. The communicator 16 may alsobe capable of receiving incoming subscriber-to-subscriber typecommunications.

The beacon 10 may be activated automatically, selectively, or remotely.The beacon is a low power transmitter generating an asynchronouswideband spread spectrum signal for locating the device 100. The levelof electrical integration of the beacon 10 and the communicator 16 maydepend on the specific application or implementation. Preferably, thebeacon 10 operates independent of the communicator 16. Preferably, thebeacon 10 and the communicator 16 do not exchange critical timing orcontrol information. The beacon 10 may continue to generate a signalwhen the communicator 16 is not providing subscriber-to-subscriber typecommunications. When generated, the beacon signal is preferablyasynchronous (i.e., the beacon signal is not synched with a beaconsignal recipient). In one embodiment, the beacon 10 and the communicator16 may share circuitry. The wideband spread spectrum signal generated bythe beacon 10 may be on a frequency distinct and isolated from thefrequencies assigned to personal communications systems.

The communicator 16 operates on a narrowband signal that may be cellular(including cellular protocols such as AMPS, IS-136, IS-54, etc.)specialized mobile radio, or other analog or digital wirelesscommunication signal. In some embodiments, the communication signal ofthe communicator 16 may be analog FM, digital FSK or N-FSK signal whichcan be readily generated by the same circuitry as used to generate thewideband signal. The transmit and receive circuitry of the device 100would thus be very small and inexpensive. The device 100 may be used inone of the Multi-Lateration System (MLS) sub-bands of the Location andMonitoring Service (LMS) portion of the 902-928 MHz ISM band.

Multilateration techniques may be used on received beacon signals tolocate the device 100. With wideband spread spectrum signals, receivedsignal degradation due to multipath effect of urban obstacles such asbuildings is minimized. The frequencies selected for the beacon signalmay also aid in minimizing signal degradation. Preferably, the beacon 10generates a signal in a frequency band which propagates well in urbanenvironments and from within buildings.

With reference now to FIG. 2, a personal emergency assistance system mayinclude a mobile personal communication device 100, a locating network200, and a personal communications network 300.

The device 100 includes a portable power supply 13, a communicator 16which, in one embodiment, includes a modulator 30 for generating thesignal carrying communication information a beacon signal generator 10(i.e., beacon) which, in one embodiment, includes a modulator 31 forgenerating the wide band spread spectrum signal and switch 19 foractivating the beacon signal generator 10. In other embodiments, theswitch may also be at the communicator 16 or the beacon signal generator10 (See devices 101 and 102).

The locating network 200 includes plural receiving stations. Forexample, three receiving stations 201, 202, and 203 are illustrated. Thereceiving stations may be mobile. The locating network may include anode 205 for processing.

The communications network 300 may be a conventional personalcommunication system. The system includes plural base stations. Forexample, three base stations 301, 302, and 303 are illustrated. Thesystem may include a central office 305. Communications between a basestation and the central office 305 may be established through methodsknown in the art.

In operation, a user of a device 100 may be in an emergency or may wishto indicate the existence of an emergency. The beacon signal generator10 of device 100 may be selectively activated from the device 100, thecommunications network 300, or an emergency service provider 400.Two-way voice or data communications may be established with thecommunicator 16. The beacon signal generator 10 may be responsive to thecommunicator 16.

The two-way voice or data communications is established withcommunications network 300. The central office 305 may include anoperator or an automatic router for directing communications to anappropriate emergency service provider. For automatic routing, a usermay indicate the type of emergency at the device 100. Preferably,communications between the device 100 and the communication network 300are on a narrowband signal 60 using a conventional personalcommunications protocol.

When activated, the beacon signal generator 10 generates a widebandspread spectrum homing signal 40. The locating network 200 may use amultilateration technique at the node 205 to determine the location ofthe device from the time of arrival, angle of arrival, or a combinationof the time and angle of arrival of the beacon signal at the receivingstations. Using multilateration techniques on wideband spread spectrumsignal provides a reliable and accurate determination of device locationin dense urban environment. The node 205 may also act as an interfacebetween the locating network 200 and the communications network 300. Inone embodiment, the node 205 may collect data from the stations andprovide the collected data to the communication network 300 for furtherprocessing.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it is to be understood that the embodiments described areillustrative only and the scope of the invention is to be defined solelyby the appended claims when accorded a full range of equivalence, manyvariations and modifications naturally occurring to those of skill inthe art from a perusal hereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile personal emergency communication devicefor directing assistance to an emergency identified by a user of thedevice comprising: a communicator for providing interactivecommunications between the user and a service having: a transceiver forreceiving from and transmitting to the service a signal carryingcommunication information in accord with a conventional personalcommunications protocol; a beacon for directing the service to thegeographic location of the device having: a transmitter for selectivelytransmitting a wide band spread spectrum signal independent of theoperation of said communicator wherein said wide band spread spectrumsignal is transmitted in a band separate and distinct from frequenciesassigned to personal communications systems, and a portable power supplyfor providing power to the beacon and communicator.
 2. The mobilepersonal emergency communication device of claim 1 wherein saidcommunicator includes a means for selecting a type of service.
 3. Themobile personal emergency communication device of claim 1 wherein saidtransmitter for selectively transmitting a wide band spread spectrumsignal transmits a beacon signal in a broad bandwidth in comparison tothat of the signal carrying communication information.
 4. The mobilepersonal emergency communication device of claim 3 wherein saidtransceiver for receiving from and transmitting to the service a signalcarrying communication information operates in a conventional personalcommunications channel.
 5. The mobile personal emergency communicationdevice of claim 1 wherein said beacon includes a first modulator forgenerating the wide band spread spectrum signal and said transceiverincludes a second modulator for generating the signal carryingcommunication information.
 6. The mobile personal emergencycommunication device of claim 5 wherein said first modulator employs atype of modulation different from a type of modulation employed by saidsecond modulator.
 7. The mobile personal emergency communication deviceof claim 1 wherein said communicator and said beacon share circuitry. 8.The mobile personal emergency communication device of claim 1 whereinthe device is hand-held.
 9. The mobile personal emergency communicationdevice of claim 1 wherein said beacon is responsive to saidcommunicator.
 10. The mobile personal emergency communication device ofclaim 1 further comprising a means for the service to activate saidbeacon.
 11. The mobile personal emergency communication device of claim1 wherein said beacon includes a means for activating said transmitter.12. The mobile personal emergency communication device of claim 1wherein said communicator includes a means for the user to activate thebeacon.
 13. A personal emergency assistance system for directingappropriate assistance to an emergency, comprising: a personaltelecommunication device having: a communicator for providing two-wayvoice and data communications signals on a conventionaltelecommunications frequency, and a generator for generating a beaconingsignal directing assistance to a location of the device, wherein saidbeaconing signal is a wide band spread spectrum signal transmitted in aband separate and distinct from frequencies assigned to personalcommunications systems, a first network of stations for providingtwo-way voice and data communications with said personaltelecommunication device and for reaching an appropriate emergencyassistance provider and for providing location information of saidpersonal telecommunication device to the assistance provider; and asecond network of stations situated to receive the beaconing signal forlocating said personal telecommunication device from the characteristicsof the beaconing signal and for providing location information to saidfirst network.
 14. The personal emergency assistance system of claim 13wherein said personal telecommunication device is portable.
 15. Thepersonal emergency assistance system of claim 14 wherein the personaltelecommunication device includes a power supply for powering saidgenerator and said communicator.
 16. The personal emergency assistancesystem of claim 13, said personal telecommunication device includes aswitch for selectively activating said generator.
 17. The personalemergency assistance system of claim 16, wherein said switch is at saidgenerator.
 18. The personal emergency assistance system of claim 17,wherein said switch is responsive to said communicator.
 19. The personalemergency assistance system of claim 17, wherein said switch isresponsive to the assistance provider.
 20. The personal emergencyassistance system of claim 16, wherein said switch is at saidcommunicator.
 21. The personal emergency assistance system of claim 20,switch is responsive to the assistance provider.
 22. The personalemergency assistance system of claim 13 wherein said generator generatesan asynchronous wideband spread spectrum signal as the beaconing signal.23. The personal emergency assistance system of claim 13 wherein saidsecond network of stations includes a station having mobility.
 24. Thepersonal emergency assistance system of claim 13 wherein said secondnetwork comprises: a central office operatively connected to a pluralityof stations for locating said personal telecommunication device from thecharacteristics of the beaconing signal received at the stations. 25.The personal emergency assistance system of claim 24 wherein saidcentral office locates said personal telecommunication device from thetime of arrival of a beaconing signal received at the stations.
 26. Thepersonal emergency assistance system of claim 24 wherein said centraloffice locates said personal telecommunication device from the angle ofarrival of a beaconing signal received at the stations.
 27. The personalemergency assistance system of claim 24 wherein said central officelocates said personal telecommunication device from the angle and timeof arrival of a beaconing signal received at the stations.
 28. Thepersonal emergency assistance system of claim 13 wherein said firstnetwork includes a router responsive to said personal telecommunicationdevice for automatically providing a communication path to theappropriate emergency assistance provider.
 29. The personal emergencyassistance system of claim 13 wherein said first network comprises anexisting telecommunications infrastructure for providing personalcommunications services to consumers.
 30. The personal emergencyassistance system of claim 13 wherein said second network comprisesstations dedicated to providing personal emergency assistance.
 31. Thepersonal emergency assistance system of claim 13 wherein said generatorand said communicator share circuitry.
 32. The personal emergencyassistance system of claim 13 wherein said first network and said secondnetwork share infrastructure.
 33. A method for providing assistance fora person in an emergency comprising the steps of: (a) indicating a needfor assistance using a personal telecommunications device; (b)transmitting a homing signal from the personal telecommunication deviceon a wideband spread spectrum signal in a frequency band not assigned topersonal communications systems; (c) providing voice and datacommunications between the personal telecommunications device and arecipient of the assistance indication, wherein said voice and datacommunications are transmitted in a band separate and distinct from thehoming signal; (d) locating the personal telecommunications device fromthe characteristics of the homing signal; and (e) directing appropriateassistance to the location of the personal telecommunications device.34. The method of claim 33 wherein the step of locating the personaltelecommunications device comprises the step of determining a time ofarrival of the homing signal at a plurality of antennas.
 35. The methodof claim 33 wherein the step of locating the personal telecommunicationsdevice comprises the step of determining an angle of arrival of thehoming signal at a plurality of antennas.
 36. The method of claim 33wherein the step of locating the personal telecommunications devicecomprises the step of determining time and angle of arrival of thehoming signal at a plurality of antennas.
 37. The method of claim 33wherein the step of locating the personal telecommunications device isperformed using multilateration.
 38. The method of claim 33 wherein thehoming signal is asynchronously transmitted.
 39. The method of claim 33wherein the step of transmitting a homing signal is performedindependent of the step of providing voice and data communications. 40.The method of claim 33 wherein the step of transmitting a homing signalis responsive to the step of providing voice and data communications.41. The method of claim 33 wherein the recipient of the assistanceindication is an operator.
 42. The method of claim 33 wherein therecipient of the assistance indication is an automated operator.
 43. Themethod of claim 33 wherein the recipient of the assistance indication isan emergency assistance service provider.